In an ever-changing technological world, where our attachment to all things electronic and need to be overly connected is often prioritized, new cyber threats are emerging every day, especially for small business owners. For instance, did you know that approximately 43% of cyberattacks are targeted towards small businesses. Now, we know what you may be thinking, “what is cybersecurity (did I pronounce it correctly?) and why, exactly, would it be seen as beneficial to my business?” In short, cybersecurity is the protection of your computer and its data. And even if it sounds scary, there is no need to fret! Here are a few tools and tips from our expert to help you secure your information and prevent unwanted access to your personal and professional data.
1. Be Careful With Bizarre Messages 📧
In most cases, it’s the first option by which pirates try to infiltrate a company or business. Phishing as they call it, is an email that seems legitimate but that contains a link or an attachment redirecting you to a malevolent page, asking you for a password or to download a virus-infected software.
OUR TIP: If you are not sure, delete the email. If it’s an email from a person or company with good intentions, you will hear back from them eventually. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
2. Choose a Good Password 🔑
It’s a fairly simple tip but if you are using a short, uncomplicated password, it can be easier to guess or break. And if you are using the same password for multiple services, all your information will be easier to access.
OUR TIP: Use more complicated passwords with numbers, symbols, more than one word and don’t forget to change it from time to time. If you have a lot of passwords you need to remember, you can use solutions that store all your passwords.
3. Protect Your Passwords 🛡️
We know you are using a lot of services with a password, it’s not easy to remember them all. For that reason, a lot of people store their passwords in an email or in an online document. But be warned, this simple solution is not recommended. It only takes one single ill-intentioned person with access to your email to then get access to your social media accounts and even bank accounts. And if you share a password with a friend by email, it may very well lead to the same outcome.
OUR TIP: It’s always better to give your passwords orally or by SMS (without giving any hint that it’s a password if you choose the latter), it’s classic but efficient. But an even better way to share your password is with a password vault solution, because you never know who might be listening.
4. Global Protection 🔒
If you are using an all-in-one online scheduling platform, you have access to the data of your business, your employees, your clients and even banking information. This information is important and highly confidential, therefore, it should be treated with caution and care. With a good platform, any access is restricted and accessible only to those you choose, such as trustworthy employees with the necessary login credentials.
5. Safety First 🧱
Having the right reflexes and using the best practices are a start and will help you keep your business from unwanted attention because you won’t be an easy target. That being said, cybersecurity can always be improved and protecting your computer should be a priority, since it holds the keys to your business and your success. If you don’t have any protection on your computer, you should think about acquiring an anti-virus. It’s not expensive and will add another level of protection that will help you sleep soundly at night. But let’s be smart! When browsing your different options, make sure to choose a company and product you can trust. Do your research and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Conclusion
Now that you have read our tips, you are ready to become a data protector! Remember to be careful with your passwords, links you click, messages you open, people who have access to your information and remain vigilant. With the proper cybersecurity at your disposal, as well as the right reflexes and tools, we know your business can and will flourish safely.